For those of you who are in some kind of vocational or lay ministry, or who have family members or friends in ministry, take a moment to recall the typical seminary graduation ceremony. Everyone is dressed in regalia and smiling, excited to have completed four years of intense studies. As the last graduate walks across the stage, the president asks for a show of hands to inquire who will be entering pastoral ministry. To your surprise and shock, only half of the graduates raise their hands. The other half will be returning to their initial vocation despite the immense amount of time, money, and effort spent in obtaining their degrees.

The above scenario may be surprising, but sadly, this reality occurs regularly across the mission field as well. According to the Narramore Christian Foundation, almost 50% of all missionaries fail to remain on the field after their first term (i.e., 3-5 years)! This is also the average length of time required to learn a language well enough to contextualize the gospel. Additionally, almost 8,000 missionaries leave the field annually due to preventable reasons that, if counseling were readily available, counseling can address (i.e. interpersonal conflict, mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, burnout, marriage and family difficulties, etc.).

In light of all the time, money, and effort the global church invests in training and sending missionaries, these statistics provide a sober picture of the difficulty in retaining and sustaining cross-cultural workers. Without these cross-cultural workers remaining in the field, gospel witness and presence in many unreached areas are being lost or at best, stalled (Romans 10:13-15).

Jabez Yeo has served faithfully as a staff counselor with ServingLeaders for three years. As a third-culture kid and Asian-American, Jabez has the passion, experience, and insight into many of the challenges missionaries and their families face while living and serving cross-culturally. Jabez has a heart for global missions, as well as experience providing counseling for ministry leaders, including missionaries, at all of the stages in their ministry journey (i.e. candidacy, field assignment, home assignment/debriefing).

Given his passions and desire to serve God with his unique giftings, Jabez and his wife decided to move to Southeast Asia where they intend to bring God’s healing to missionaries who are serving in that region. Our team at ServingLeaders is encouraged by the Yeos’ passionate heart for missionaries, and their willingness to make the incredible sacrifices necessary to move across the world. And we send them warmly on to their new mission and home.

ServingLeaders has a team of counselors who are experienced and skilled to come alongside missionaries by providing counseling, debriefings, training, and mediations. [provide a link to the Kishbaugh’s soul care and debriefing services] If you or anyone you know would like more information please feel free to reach out here!